Abstract
Abstract.Background: The elevated risk of suicide in veterinarians is still not well understood, but euthanasia distress and increased fearlessness about death (FAD) have been discussed as specific risk factors. Aims: We investigated German veterinarians to test whether FAD is increased compared with the general population, whether FAD is associated with euthanasia distress, and whether there are differences between different fields in veterinary medicine. Methods: German veterinarians were assessed via self-report instruments and compared with a representative general population sample. There was no difference in FAD. Lower euthanasia distress was significantly associated with higher FAD. Limitations: Although we were able to recruit a large sample of veterinarians, the generalizability is limited by the voluntary nature of participation and the related risk of bias. Results: There was no difference in FAD. Lower euthanasia distress was significantly associated with higher FAD. Conclusion: Although lower euthanasia distress as an indicator of habituation to euthanasia is associated with higher FAD, one cannot assume that increased FAD in veterinarians is a specific risk factor for suicidality in veterinarians.
References
2010). Veterinary surgeons and suicide: A structured review of possible influences on increased risk. Veterinary Record, 166(13), 388–397. 10.1136/vr.b4794
(2019). An investigation into the acquired capability for suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 49(4), 1105–1118. 10.1111/sltb.12502
(2017). A shortened version of the Suicide Cognitions Scale for Identifying Chronic Pain Patients at Risk for Suicide. Pain Practice, 17(3), 371–381. 10.1111/papr.12464
(Bundestierärztekammer . (2016). Statistik [Statistics]. Retrieved from https://www.bundestieraerztekammer.de/btk/statistik/2016). A test of the interpersonal theory of suicide in a large sample of current firefighters. Psychiatry Research, 240, 26–33. 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.03.041
(2018). Suicide in physicians and veterinarians: Risk factors and theories. Current Opinion in Psychology, 22, 23–26. 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.07.019
(2013). Details on suicide among US physicians: Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. General Hospital Psychiatry, 35(1), 45–49. 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.08.005
(2000). Doctors who kill themselves: A study of the methods used for suicide. QJM: Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians, 93, 351–357. 10.1093/qjmed/93.6.351
(2004). Suicide in doctors. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57(1), 1–4. 10.1016/S0022-3999(03)00372-6
(2005). Why people die by suicide. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
(2005). The psychology and neurobiology of suicidal behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 56, 287–314. 10.1146/annurev.psych.56.091103.070320
(2008). Suicide and suicidal behavior. Epidemiologic Reviews, 30, 133–154.
(2014). Fearlessness about death: The psychometric properties and construct validity of the revision to the acquired capability for suicide scale. Psychological Assessment, 26(1), 115–126. 10.1037/a0034858
(2020). Depression, suicidal ideation and suicide risk in German veterinarians compared to the German general population. Veterinary Record. Advance online publication. 10.1136/vr.105430
(2012). An examination of environmental and genetic contributions to the determinants of suicidal behavior among male twins. Psychiatry Research, 197(1), 60–65. 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.01.010
(2016). Dimensionality, psychometric properties and population-based norms of the German version of the Revised Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS-FAD). Psychiatry Research, 238, 46–52. 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.052
(2019). Suicide among veterinarians in the United States from 1979 through 2015. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(1), 104–112. 10.2460/javma.254.1.104
(2014). The distinct role of performing euthanasia on depression and suicide in veterinarians. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 19(2), 123–132. 10.1037/a0035837
(2010). The interpersonal theory of suicide. Psychological Review, 117(2), 575–600. 10.1037/a0018697
(2008). Suicidal desire and the capability for suicide: Tests of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior among adults. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 72–83. 10.1037/0022-006X.76.1.72
(2015). The link between nonsuicidal self-injury and acquired capability for suicide: A longitudinal study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 124(4), 1110–1115. 10.1037/abn0000104
(2013). Experience with euthanasia is associated with fearlessness about death in veterinary students. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 43(2), 125–138. 10.1111/sltb.12000
(2019). Suicides and deaths of undetermined intent among veterinary professionals from 2003 through 2014. Journal of the American Veterinarian Association, 255(5), 595–608. 10.2460/javma.255.5.595
(